Acute saline infusion induces extracellular acidification and activation of the Na+/H+ exchanger in man.

The effect of acute expansion of the extracellular fluid volume (ECV) with isotonic (0.9%) saline on the activity of the lymphocyte Na+/H+ antiport (NHE) was studied in a total of 18 healthy volunteers. Saline was infused at a constant rate so that 4 mmol kg-1 b.

Hypertonic saline infusion induces activation of the lymphocyte Na+/H+ antiport and cytosolic alkalinization in healthy human subjects.

The Na+/H+ antiport is a membrane transport protein that extrudes intracellular protons in exchange for extracellular sodium. Some details of its physiological and pathophysiological role remain poorly defined. Experimental evidence suggests that the antiporter is involved in the regulation of cell volume.